by Rae Hilhorst

Jewish People – a diversion from my holiday blog, which now seems a bit lame

I wanted to post this before it becomes a distant memory and then something prompts you, and you think ‘Oh I remember seeing something about that’

I don’t know why but the Jewish people have been on my mind, I think as I have watched two or more shows on the ABC and am reading Jodi Picoult’s latest book The Story Teller, about a maybe, maybe not, German guard, not finished the book yet.

One month or two ago there was a story on the ABC about Jewish people who were lucky to escape the camps. (Auschwitz)

Number one:

Anna Reich (you can read all about her story) was lucky enough to find herself on Shindlers list. She made a name for herself in the Australian fashion retail industry in the 50’s and 60’s.

Then there was a story about Adam and Morris Perkal, (this gives you a link to their story they are in their 90’s) they are cobblers and were renowned for making Bob Hawke’s shoes.

All very proud to be Jewish, easy when you are not being persecuted. I can honestly say I do not know any Jewish people and don’t know whether that’s strange or not. Except of course for Russell Wolfe, who I listen to 5 days a week on the ABC, The ABC by the way who educates me on a large range of subjects, and yes everything they is the gospel truth, gotta do something while I am driving around town.

Then just last week I watched the documentary on Hitler’s Children. This was about the grandchildren of Hitler’s top hench men. One brother and sister are so ashamed of their families’ involvement that they did two things.

Barracks at Auschwitz

1. Both had operations so they could not produce children fearing that to do so they could inflict evil on the world.

2. One left the country and lives on the edge of Mexico with a new husband, she changed her name through marriage and when divorced kept the name, hoping nobody would recognise her.

3. Another visited Auschwitz with a Jewish man (survivor of imprisoned refugees) who had family members gassed at Auschwitz, they were both traumatized, very,very sorry for what his grandfather had done, he had photos of the compound his family lived on which was the other side of one of Auschwitz’s walls. The black wrought gate is still there, where his grandfather got up from the table kissed the family then preceded to go to the other side and gas people. He had photographic evidence of this gate.

4. He visited a school group their who were learning about Auschwitz and the atrocities, after his talk several students came up to thank him for sharing his grief and his story and how ashamed he was that his family were involved.

5. Even more touching was an elderly man shook his hand said thank you, he understands, and, that it wasn’t his fault.

6. So maybe that is the start of his healing process for both men.

Then I was reading about a blogger who had been to a Jewish funeral, now this is fraught with all sorts of do’s and don’ts and then there are different funerals depending on what Jewish religion you follow. ( I am assuming there are a few) I was going to investigate Aboriginal Heritage as that is a bit closer to my heart (I am lucky enough to have access to people who can help me in my studies) and would be far easier to study than Jewish heritage, but you know I am just a bit swayed by the Jewish people and their history.